N.C. band to play benefit for Erie friend's daughter

HEAR IT

Fuse will play Friday at 9 p.m. at Presque Isle Downs & Casino and Saturday at 6 p.m. at Docksider, 1015 State St. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted for the Kaylee Steen Trust Fund.

When he played fullback at Mercyhurst Prep, Brian Morgan pumped himself up for football games by blasting Korn, Limp Bizkit and Linkin Park.

His all-Metro League football days are long over, but a singing career is blossoming. Morgan, who lives in Charlotte, N.C., sings '90s and current rock songs with Fuse, a quartet that will play his hometown for the first time this weekend.

Morgan, 30, expects plenty of family members and friends at both shows, though the experience will be bittersweet. Proceeds will benefit Lauren and Kaylee Steen, the widow and 1-year-old daughter, respectively, of Lee Steen, a family friend who died unexpectedly at age 29 on Aug. 26, 2011.

"Between school and Boys Baseball, our families became so interconnected," Morgan said. "After games and many practices, it was automatic, we hang out together. We did so many family functions -- wedding, parties. Our families became synonymous with each other."

At the time of his death, Lee Steen -- the youngest student to ever earn a doctorate of science from Robert Morris University -- worked for the Department of Defense in Fort Meade, Md.

Some songs that Fuse will play, such as Seether's "Rise Above This," will take on new meaning.

"We feel that song is going to be directly speaking to the Steen family and everyone affected by the loss of Lee," Morgan said. "Together we're going to rise above this. That, to me, is very inspiring."

Fuse, together about a year, plays grunge and alternative rock by Stone Sour, 3 Doors Down, 3 Days Grace, Candlebox, Foo Fighters and more. The first concert Morgan attended was Candlebox, Sponge and Our Lady Peace at Tullio Arena. When he lived in Erie, though, he didn't sing.

"I did not have any musical talent (then)," Morgan said. "I sang for the first time three years ago on a karaoke stage. Before that, I worked at the Waves music shop in the fall."

His older brothers turned him on to classic and newer rock. "Over the course of time, I evolved to where I was more of a music fanatic than the rest of them," Morgan said.

After he graduated from Penn State Behrend, Morgan moved to Charlotte. It took awhile for Morgan and his band mates to coordinate schedules for an Erie trip. But he said it's worth it to help Steen's family. Also planned are raffles for items such as gift cards, Browns tickets and a laptop.

"It's amazing how many people in Erie pulled together for this great cause," Morgan said. "We're all keeping Lee's spirit alive and honoring and memorializing his life."